Research Methods for Social Work

Researching methods for social work have undergone several changes in the recent past, particularly in the areas of research designs, techniques of data collection, analysis of data, and computer application in social work research. Against this background, a seminar was held in August 2006 at the Roda Mistry College of Social Work and Research Centre, Hyderabad (India). Sponsored by the University Grants Commission, New Dehli, the seminar brought together social work educators, researchers, and practitioners with a specific objective of improving social science research methodologies in the context of social work. The seminar papers collected for this volume cover four broad areas of research. The first section contains descriptive accounts of research methods used with social work interventions. The second section looks at data analysis and interpretations, while the third section includes accounts of different specializations. The final section examines different research strategies like qualitative research, case study method, and action research. The book will give readers an insight into the various research methods used in different areas of social work.